Our group studies how eukaryotic cells copy their chromosomes and preserve
genome integrity. Defects in chromosome replication are an early feature of
human cancer development, but are still understood poorly. In all eukaryotic
species, the key regulated step during the initiation of chromosome replication
is the assembly at origins of DNA replication of the 11-subunit DNA helicase
known as Cdc45-MCM-GINS. Until now, very little was known about the
equally important but opposite reaction, by which the Cdc45-MCM-GINS
helicase is disassembled at the end of DNA replication. This process is
regulated in an exquisite fashion, in order to ensure that helicase disassembly
can only occur when replication is terminated by the convergence of two
neighbouring DNA replication forks. The successful applicants will have an
exciting opportunity to study the novel mechanisms and regulation of this
important process, based on our very recent discovery that helicase
disassembly is associated with ubiquitylation and conserved disassembly
factors. Informal enquiries can be made to kpmlabib@dundee.ac.uk, and
further details of our research and publications can be found on our webpage
(http://www.ppu.mrc.ac.uk/research/?pid=1012)

MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit (PPU)
This work will be performed in the MRC Protein Phosphorylation and
Ubiquitylation Unit (MRC-PPU), based within the College of Life Sciences at
the University of Dundee. The MRC-PPU is one of the world’s most renowned
centres for research on protein phosphorylation and ubiquitylation
(http://www.ppu.mrc.ac.uk/). The major aims of the MRC-PPU are to advance
understanding of the role of protein phosphorylation and ubiquitylation in cell
regulation and human disease, to facilitate the development of drugs to treat
diseases caused by abnormalities in phosphorylation, to generate reagents
and improve technologies. Another key remit of the MRC-PPU is to train the
next generation of scientists who will advance our understanding in this
crucial area of medical research. The MRC-PPU is in a beautiful location
overlooking the estuary of the River Tay and is embedded within the College
of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee, which is one of the premier Life
Sciences research Centres in the world, and has a particular strength in the
area of genome integrity.

How to Apply:
Following informal enquiries to kpmlabib@dundee.ac.uk, please send a CV
with contact details of three referees to mrcppu-phd-admin@dundee.ac.uk.
There is no deadline and the projects could commence anytime between
November 2013 and September 2014. Further information about our PhD
programme can be found at http://www.ppu.mrc.ac.uk/studentships/….

Job details

Employer:Medical Research Council - Protein Phosphorylation Unit

Website:http://www.ppu.mrc.ac.uk/

Location:Sir James Black Centre, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom

Expires:December 27, 2013

Job type:PhD Studentship

Salary:Unspecified

Qualifications:Undergraduate - Bachelor's degree

Employment type:Contract

Job hours:Full-time

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